FRESH TALES
Location: Carnforth, Lancashire, LA6 1AD
Max Depth: 20m
Visibility: 5m to 15m
Last Visit: 08/03/08
Capernwray is a great place to dive. The water is generally always warm and the visibilty is excellent compared to other disused quarries.
Capernwray have really invested in the development of this site, and it shows. From a plethora of underwater attractions to a first class canteen and seating area, this site has everything excluding depth that a diver could ever want.
The prize underwater attraction is the Pod Snap (pictured below). The Pod Snap is an 18m mine sweeper from WW2. The wreck lists on her port side which makes it seem that much more real as compared the clinically placed Stanegarth. The wreck may be penetrated taking care as there are some tight spaces. There are also two helicopters that are worth a look.
For keen underwater photographers there are some excellent opportunities for some exceptional photographs. The Brown and Rainbow Trout are always worth a look as is the Sturgeon, if you can find him.
Capernwray is an absolute must. Toads love Capernwray!
Location: Chepstow, Gloucestershire, NP16 7LH
Max Depth: 80m
Visibility: 0.5m to 12m
Last Visit: 15/03/08
The National Dive and Activity Centre is a dive site that is evolving rapidly. It appears that all of the revenue that is generated is ploughed straight back into the quarry and is spent on underwater attractions.
The underwater attractions are numerous, the pick of the bunch is a BAE 146 fuselage, a large Wessex helicopter, a North Sea Diving Bell, Troop Carrier, Stalwart, Swim Through Tunnels at the standard Gnome Garden.
The attractions are excellent, unfortunately the visibility can be downright terrible. On the 15th of March 2008, visibilty for the most part was about 1m at best.
The balance here seems all wrong. While many attractions are a fantastic achievement, a lack of diver facilities does well at destroying diver morale. When it rains there is no shelter from the elements and the mud and puddle situation on the top car park is some what depressing.
A place to visit for the deeper dives. Certainly not a place to visit after or during rain.
Worth a look but have an open mind!
Location: Cromhall, Gloucestershire, GL12 8AA
Max Depth: 18m
Visibilty: 5m to 15m
Last Visit: 19/01/08
Cromhall is a new development in terms of quarry diving. Cromhall is a site which has excellent potential as it could be a south Capernwray. The water is generally warm and again the visibilty can be superb.
Recently ( Dived January 08) the management have added a number of underwater attractions. These being two cargo containers, two small cruisers and an aeroplane cockpit.
There isn't too much aquatic life here other than newts and a large Carp.
Well worth a look, but one to keep an eye on for the future.
Location: Nantle, North Wales
Max Depth: 108m
Visibility: 5m to 20m
Last Visit: 12/01/08
Dorothea is without equal in terms of its depth. Sadly it is also without equal in terms of its death count (now at twenty one).
This is the primary reason why the media have referred to Dotty as the "Quarry of Death". An ominous title indeed!
The primary reason for this media focused stigma is Dorothea's non-existant facilities and diver's persistant efforts to exceed there limits and training levels.
Dorothea is for the serious underwater explorer. The water is cold and dark. There is also something alluring of its depth, so this urge must be resisted as you need to stay on plan.
There is much to explore here as detailed on the site map. Let someone know of your planned arrival and departure as phone reception here can also be non-existant.
Dorothea has many levels and shelves so is also ideal for shallow dives. Remember, you don't have to dive deep at Dotty!
Take care here and enjoy all that Dotty has to offer. Take your O2 kit and make sure you have your diver insurance.
Dotty is by far my favourite location to dive. Sadly its a four hour drive away (Shame).
Location: Dosthill, Tamworth, B77 1LL
Max Depth: 24m
Visibility: 1m to 8m
Last Visit: 12/02/08
Dosthill Quarry is our clubs local dive site. The site itself is owned by the Dive In team who also own Gildenburgh in Peterborough. The site itself is on the basic side. There are two Portaloos, no changing facilities and no shelter from the elements.
This dive site is one of the oldest in the country and as such has a somewhat mixed reputation due to its visibilty and lack of facilities. If you are prepared for the lack of facilities and poor visibilty on a busy day, then Dosthill is a little gem.
There are plenty of Perch, Roach, Golden Orf, Pike , a couple of Crey Fish and an Eel to keep on the look out for. The abundance of life make for some excellent photographic opportunities. There is a large 8m southern shelf so is ideal for training purposes.
Dosthill does however have an ace up its sleeve. Visit Dosthill on a Thursday night for a night dive. The quarry has been shut all week prior to this, so the visibilty is generally excellent.
Well worth a visit on a Thursday evening.
Location: Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 5PR
Max Depth: 20m
Visibility: 0m to 5m
Last Visit: 08/12/07
Eccleston Delph is the Gildenburgh of the North.
Visibilty here can be very poor due to its silty bottom. To combat that there are lines between attractions to aide navigation. The attractions include a scout car (pictured), large cruiser, anti-aircraft gun, van, aircraft, containers and tank.
The on-site facilities here are excellent inclding a wood burning stove in the canteen area and a quaint equipment shop.
This site is well worth the visit but you wouldn't want to make it a regular visit due to its shallow depth and poor visibilty. Also Capernwray is a little further north and is by far a better site.
Worth a look, but wouldn't make it a regular foray.
Location: Whittlesey, Peterborough, PE7 2AR
Max Depth: 20m
Visibility: 0m to 8m
Last Visit: 24/02/08
Gildenburgh is owned and operated by the Dive In team. They are arguably the best training provider in the land, but of course it is pot luck with which instructor you are assigned.
The visibility here can be downright terrible. That said I have dived here on a quiet day when 8m was apparent.
There are some excellent underwater attractions here including a double decker bus that's set at an angle. Lines are laid between attractions to aide navigation. Trust me, on a bad day, you'll need them!
The on-site facilities are excellent which include a canteen/bar, caravans for hire, changing facilities, shop, kit store, and equipment repair.
Just make sure you don't upset Ray! Have those breathing air decals displayed! Lol
Well worth a visit and definately worth considering for any and all training courses.
Ian Forster (the owner) also runs ANDI UK for technical divers.
Location: Hodge Close, Coniston,Lake District.
Max Depth: 31m
Visibility: 3m to 15m
Last Visit: 11/02/08
Hodge Close is an intimidating site as you arrive onto the main car park. Viewing the quarry from the ledge it is some 80ft below you engulfed in sheer slate walls that are prone to land slides.
At the house with the white extension you need to pay the farmer £5 so that he will re-locate his Land Rover and or security post. There are then two gates to drive through before arriving on the lower car park opposite the quarry entrance.
The entrance to this quarry is certainly unique as you must walk through a partially flooded tunnel located at the end of the stream. The taller members will have to duck down as the tunnel is quite constricted at the entrance but soon widens further in. The tunnel’s water line is at worse knee height and approximately 100m in length. At the end of the tunnel it opens out into a chamber where you are greeted by the warning sign informing you that this quarry has killed previous divers. Excellent to inspire pre-dive confidence!
The next obstacle is a ladder to climb down to gain access to the quarry basin. The ladder has only one stile above the ledge so great care must be taken when climbing down in full kit. Now that you are down you must negotiate the slate as it’s rather slippery under foot. Finally you arrive at your destination one stone lighter, out of breath and back aching! Now you need to dive!
The quarry's main attraction is the cave system which consists of three chambers and approximately 120m of connecting tunnel. Other than this there are two Transit vans to be viewed, a couple of cars and some assorted wreckage. The quarry is in the shape of an inverted frustrum so it appears larger than it actually is at the surface.
BSAC divers have installed several marker buoys and shot lines including a deco trapeze which makes life somewhat easier in the water.
Prof throughly enjoyed this site as it is a challenge both physically and mentally and sorts the Toads from the Tadpoles.
It is not a site Prof wishes to visit again any time soon, but definately one to visit for the experience. Definate thumbs up on this one!
Location: Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, LE9 4EW
Max Depth: 36m
Visibility: 2m to 15m
Last Visit: 14/03/08
Stoney Cove is probably the best known dive site in the country. The on-site facilities are excellent which include an equipment shop, a 4m training pool, bar, toilets and changing rooms and a seating area.
I completed my PADI Open Water at Stoney Cove so most of my memories are from a training perspective. My subsequent dives here were of course to the famous Stanegarth and to scrape the bottom of 36m visiting the hydro box.
I have one large bone of contention with Stoney Cove. It must be one of the richest (based on the number of vistors) dive sites in the country. So where do all the profits go? They certainly don't go on underwater attractions as for a 12 acre quarry there is really not much to see.
The Stanegarth is of course their prize attraction. I must admit that its a decent wreck dive for the beginner. You can safely penetrate the wrecks' hold and wheelhouse. Other than this, what else can you interact with?
The answer is nothing! You can view the Nautilus, the decaying Wessex, a coach, an APC and a few other bits.
For Stoney Cove's potential and location there really is too much open space under the water. PLEASE put more attractions in!!!
You will also have to wake up at stupid o'clock in the very early a.m if you wish to gain a parking spot adjacent to the water and pay £15 for non-members.
Definately worth the visit but not for every weekend. Go to Chepstow. For the same entry price there is so much more to see and deeper depths for the more adventurous. You also don't have to wake up at stupid o'clock.
Location: Llanberis, North Wales, LL55 4TY
Max Depth: 18m
Visibility: 5m to 15m
Last Visit: 13/01/08
Vivian is a lovely little dive site located next to Electric Mountain. This has its own unique impact when you are under the water as you can feel the ground vibrate!
Vivian is an old slate quarry, and as such has excellent visibilty usually in excess of 10m.
There are changing facilities by way of a porta cabin and a small (tiny) shop at the entrance.
You are required to kit up in the car park, followed by a short walk through the carved entrance before setting foot in the water.
Vivian is a lovely little dive. However you can see everything Vivian has to offer in a single thirty minute dive.
There is an old slate house that can be penetrated (at own risk as there is a no entry sign) which is the high light.
One of those places I would recommend you visit once and once only. Unless of course its your local.
Location: Vobster Quay, Somerset, BA3 5SA
Max Depth: 36m
Visibility: 0 to 10m
Last Visit: 02/02/08
Vobster Quay is a large dive site located in Somerset. They pride themselves on being a "friendly" dive site which Prof Toad can certainly endorse.
You are made to feel welcome from the beginning through to the end of your day. The entrance fee is £15 to match the other large dive sites such as the NDAC and Stoney Cove. There is one slight difference here in that they charge an additional £10 (£25 total) for a security deposit. For the additional £10 you are presented a key ring which you return at the end of the day to reclaim your £10 note.
The lake itself is 36 acres in area which makes it nearly three times larger than Stoney Cove. The lake is comprised of a rock and silt bottom so visibilty can be poor. Prof's dives consisted of visibilty ranging from approximately four metres down to 25m, followed by one inch at 36m! Prof could only barely see his computer to register his depth. His two buddies had to be held so as not to lose them. Very very poor at 36m.
The underwater attractions are impressive. The crushing works, Hawker Siddley aircraft, a 15m cabin cruiser and a wheelhouse from a coaster vessel are the high lights.
Further to these delights above is the tunnel. The tunnel is an old stone delivery tunnel that is 18m in length beginning at 14m and descending to 22m. There is just enough room for two divers to swim side by side, but one after the other is far more sensible. The tunnel is permanently lined off down its long axis so as to provide easy navigation. Well worth the swim as it's quite unique to quarry diving.
The on site facilities are satisfactory with a sparse equipment shop, lecture rooms, outdoor seating, air fill station and obligatory sandwich van. There is ample car parking spaces close to the water's edge.
Overall, well worth the trip. I must say though that for those living in the Midlands or further north, I would again see this place once for the experience and then head for Chepstow NDAC on subsequent trips. I am pleased to have dived Vobster but don't see myself diving her again any time soon.
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